Blais has been a strong minor-league player over the last two years, totaling 58 points in 68 games. His potential earned him 32 games with the Blues, where he filled into a bottom-six checking role, dishing out 93 hits while serving just six PIM. The 23-year-old also suited up for the final 15 games of the Stanley Cup run, notching three points and adding 70 more hits. Blais' grit has a place with the Blues, and he should have a solid chance of sticking with the big club after training camp. Read Past Outlooks

ANALYSISBlais isn't a big scorer with seven points in 43 career games, but he brings much-needed energy in a bottom-six role. Keeping the 2014 sixth-rounder on hand was an easy decision for the Stanley Cup champs given his affordability and chemistry with the rest of the locker room.

St. Louis was high on Blais making the team out of camp in 2017-18, and he played 10 games with the big club before the calendar flip. However, after a Dec. 16 outing where he suffered a concussion, the 22-year-old was called up for just one more game. Blais finished with one goal and two apples in those 11 games, but his time with AHL San Antonio (17 goals and 40 points in 42 games) was much more productive. Blais has the looks of developing into a strong, middle-six forward, and a strong preseason should force the Blues to keep him in with the big club. He could snag a third line role if Robby Fabbri, who is returning from two torn ACLs, isn't ready to begin the season.